Highly Portable Media Device

1. A handheld electronic device, comprising: a housing; a center button including a first movable platform that moves relative to the housing in order to actuate a switch disposed between the first movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, moving the first movable platform compresses the switch thereby causing an input signal to be generated; and an outer multifunctional button surrounding the center button and including a second movable platform that tilts relative to the housing in order to actuate one or more mechanical switches disposed between the second movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, tilting the second movable platform at button regions compresses one or more of the actuators, thereby causing various input signals to be generated, the second movable platform protruding though an opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein the second movable platform includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, with the cosmetic layer protruding through the opening in the housing and providing the tactile surface wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap.

2. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second movable platform is movably coupled to the housing.

3. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing movably restrains a floating second movable platform.

4. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the mechanical switches associated with the second movable platform are attached to the housing.

5. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the mechanical switches associated with the second movable platform are attached to the second movable platform.

6. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the switches include spring biased actuators that they extend away from the mechanical switch and bias the platforms in the upright position.

7. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 6 wherein the mechanical switches are attached to the backside of the second movable platform such that the actuators act as legs for supporting the second platform in its upright position within the housing.

8. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the second movable platform is movably restrained within a cavity provided in the housing.

9. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 7 wherein the second movable platform is surrounded by side walls, a top wall and bottom wall of the housing, the side walls are configured to substantially prevent movements in the x and y directions as well as rotations about the z axis excluding a small gap that allows a slight amount of play in order to prevent the second movable platform from binding with the housing during the tilting action, the top and bottom walls are configured to allow limited movement in the z direction as well as rotation about the x and y axis in order to provide the tilting action, a spring force is provided for places a top surface of the second movable platform into mating engagement with a bottom surface of the top wall of the housing.

10. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein both of the center button and outer multifunctional button are adapted to be readily manipulated by a finger or thumb of a user while the user holds the handheld electronic device in the same hand that includes the finger or thumb.

11. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein both of the center button and outer multifunctional button are adapted to be readily manipulated by a thumb of a user while the user holds the handheld electronic device in the fingers and palm of the same hand that includes the thumb.

12. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 10 , further including: one or more output devices placed at locations on the housing that are readily accessible to the user while the user holds the handheld electronic device.

13. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 12 wherein the output devices are placed above the center button and outer multifunctional button, whereby the output devices are readily accessible to the user while the user holds the handheld electronic device and also manipulates one of the center button and outer multifunctional button.

14. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a cavity that contains the second movable platform, wherein the housing includes a lip that extends over and restrains an outer portion of the top surface of the second movable platform.

15. The handheld electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein the cosmetic layer protrudes through the opening in the housing and no part of the rigid plate protrudes through the opening in the housing.

16. A handheld electronic device, comprising: a housing; a center button including a first movable platform that moves relative to the housing in order to actuate a switch disposed between the first movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, moving the first movable platform compresses the switch thereby causing an input signal to be generated; and an outer multifunctional button surrounding the center button and including a second movable platform that tilts relative to the housing in order to actuate one or more mechanical switches disposed between the second movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, tilting the second movable platform at button regions compresses one or more of the actuators, thereby causing various input signals to be generated, the second movable platform protruding though an opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein the second movable platform includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, the cosmetic layer protruding through the opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap.

17. A clickable button actuator for interacting with a handheld electronic device, comprising: a center button; and a plurality of protruding peripheral buttons immediately adjacent to and that surround the center button, the protruding peripheral buttons being integrated into a single movable member that is tilted or depressed in order to implement a distinct clicking action, wherein the single movable member includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, with the cosmetic layer being adapted to protrude through an opening in the handheld electronic device and provide a tactile surface for a user thereof wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap.

18. The clickable button actuator as recited in claim 17 having a circular arrangement.

19. The clickable button actuator as recited in claim 17 wherein both of the center button and plurality of protruding peripheral buttons are adapted to be readily manipulated by a thumb of a user while the user holds the handheld electronic device in the fingers and palm of the same hand that includes the thumb.